How Sedimentary Rock Is Formed

Sedimentary rocks form when fragments of rocks, shells, sand and clay settle at the bottom of a lake or ocean and are slowly pressed and cemented together.

How do you know if a rock is sedimentary?

Most sedimentary rocks are soft. Some can be crumbled, split, or broken with your hands. Sandstone and gypsum are examples of this kind of sedimentary rock. Gypsum is used to make casts for broken bones.

sandstone gypsum

If the rock has big fragments of shells and pebbles, it is a sedimentary rock. Conglomerate and brecia are examples of this kind of sedimentary rock.

conglomerate brecia

Sedimentary rocks can have distinct layers. Sometimes these layers have different colors or textures. Shale is an example of this kind of sedimentary rock.

shale layers shale

If you find a fossil in a rock, you can almost be certain that it is a sedimentary rock.